The lifespan of a thermostat is dependent on several factors, including the type of thermostat, usage, and maintenance. On average, most thermostats last about 10 years, depending on the model, usage, and proper maintenance.
Test the Temperature with an Oven Thermometer: Place an oven-safe thermometer inside, set your oven to a specific temperature, and check the reading after 10-15 minutes. If there's a big difference, your thermostat may need adjusting or repair.
We recommend replacing the oven thermostat if it temperature changes between uses or is off by more than 10% of the set temperature.
If you have a faulty oven thermostat, you will know about it. As the heat is no longer regulated, this could cause burnt or even undercooked food - and nobody wants that!
The cost to replace an oven thermostat is $100 to $350 on average. Signs of thermostat failure include the heating light never switching on or the oven not heating. A thermostat turns the heat on and off as needed to reach the right temperature setting.
Locate the thermostat and disconnect the wires to remove thermostat. Remove the screws holding the thermostat in place and gently pull it out. Install the new thermostat: Position the new thermostat in the same place where the old one was.
The rule of thumb is that if repair costs exceed 50% of the price to install a new oven, you should buy a new oven instead of replacing it. For example, if your oven costs $2,000 but costs $1,500 to repair, you could use that $1,500 for a new and improved oven.
The Lifespan of a Thermostat
On average, most thermostats last about 10 years, depending on the model, usage, and proper maintenance. However, many people decide to replace their unit sooner to take advantage of new energy-saving technologies.
The life expectancy of an electric oven is around 13 - 15 years. The life expectancy of a gas oven is around 15 years. The life expectancy of a dual-fuel oven is also around 15 years. However, the lifespan of these kitchen appliances depends on how frequently you use them.
A faulty temperature sensor will cause the oven not to heat to the correct temperature. If food is taking longer to cook, or is undercooked when cooking time is completed this is due to the oven not reaching the desired heat. You need to make sure that the temperature sensor isn't touching the interior oven wall.
Many of the programmable thermostats on the market today, including flashy smart thermostats, can last about 10 years.
You should typically lean toward replacing a wall oven only if it's older than 10 years, or if you're otherwise unhappy with your oven's performance and feel that buying a new model makes more sense. Most appliances are covered under warranty in their first year.
If there's a problem with the element, the light is never going to turn off because it's never going to hit the correct temperature. On the other hand if when you turn the thermostat on the light does not turn on at all, that shows there's a problem with the thermostat.
Remove the oven temperature knob and turn it over. It should have one or two screws on the back. If the oven is running cold, you will want to turn the screws counterclockwise, and if it is running hot, you will want to turn them clockwise. Turn them gradually, about an eighth of a turn each time.
A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.
To replace your oven sensor, you'll pay between $100 and $250.
On average, thermostats tend to last around 10 years with proper maintenance and care. That said, if it's been more than a decade since you installed a new thermostat, it's likely time to replace your current unit. Older models may become outdated or require more frequent repairs due to wear and tear over time.
Replacing a Thermostat. You'll pay between $15 and $300 for the unit in addition to labor ($65 to $100 per hour) to replace an old thermostat with a new one.
Considering ovens can last 15 years (and sometimes more), it is likely a better idea to repair a 10-year-old oven, assuming the repair won't cost more than 50% of the oven's value. So, for instance, if your oven is worth $1,200 and the repair is only $400, it's a better option to complete the repair.
How Long Do Ovens Typically Last? A wall oven or range typically lasts about 16 years if it's properly maintained. Even though oven lifespan varies, you may reasonably expect that your oven will work for more than a decade—even two decades on the higher end of the spectrum.